POS BC 3119x Colloquium on ISLAM AND POLITICS
Fall 1999
416-b Lehman Hall, Tues. 4:10-6:00
Linda J. Beck
Much of the field of comparative politics is subdivided by geographic area (e.g., Asia and Latin America), or political economy (e.g., advanced industrial countries and developing countries). The premise of such categorization is that sufficient commonalities cut across the countries in each of these categories to justify studying them as a group. This course takes a somewhat different approach in that it groups together a geographically, politically, economically and even culturally diverse group of countries on the basis of a common religion--Islam.
Countries where Islam is the religion of the majority can be found from West Africa to East Asia, while immigration and religious conversion has increased the Muslim minorities in Western countries. Muslim societies are governed by a wide array of political institutions, from Islamic monarchies to secular democracies. In addition, Muslim countries range from some of the wealthiest countries in the world, in terms of per capita income, to some of the poorest. Finally, like all religious groups, Muslims have multiple identities (e.g., ethnicity, nationality, class, and gender) that influence their practice of Islam and their experiences in a Muslim society.
The central focus of this course is, therefore, on comparing similarities and differences in the politics of Muslim countries. Many Western scholars who discuss Islam comparatively have argued that the influence of Islam on politics arises from a common understanding of a political model based on the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the Shari'ah legal system. Nevertheless, there are clearly variations in the ways in which this model has been interpreted, both historically and in the contemporary world.
The first part of this course will discuss the historical origins of Islamic religious doctrine and the expansion of the practice of Islam in different cultural contexts leading to differences from the political model set out by Muhammad and Islamic texts. The second section of the course will examine different forms of political institutions governing Muslim societies. The third section will address situations of cultural pluralism including the multiple identities of Muslims and issues of religious pluralism.
Throughout the semester, we will be using the city of New York as a broader field of study to discuss these issues with Muslims, visiting various Muslim organizations in the city. Students will be expected to incorporate these primary sources of information into their weekly commentaries. In the last set of readings, we will then discuss Muslims minorities in New York City in light of current debates on political incorporation and transnational communities that are politically active both in NYC and their country of origin.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
A. Class Participation (10%): Your regular and informed participation in class is essential to this course. In preparation for each class, you are expected to write commentaries (1-2 pages) on the readings for that week to be used as notes during discussion and handed in at the end of class. The commentaries are not summaries but analytical arguments responding to a central question that will serve as a starting point in our discussions. The question for each week is set out in the reading list below.
B. Map quiz (5%): Attached to the syllabus is a copy of a political map of the world that identifies countries that have a Muslim majority which will be the focus of our inquiry. There will be a map quiz in class where you will be asked to identify these countries. The goal of this exercise is to familiarize you with the political geography of Muslim countries which will aid in your understanding of the readings and class discussion.
C. Participation in Meetings with Muslims in New York City (10%): One of the exciting things about studying Islam and politics in New York City is the opportunities it affords you to discuss the topic with Muslims from variety of socio-economic, cultural and religious (Sunni, Shi'ite and Sufi) backgrounds. To take advantage of these opportunities, and to encourage students to use interviews and oral histories as primary data in their research, we will be meeting with various different Muslim groups of the course of the semester. Students are expected to attend and participate in the group discussions. If you are unable to make two or more of these sessions, you will be expected to set up a meeting with another Muslim group (particularly one from the culture you are writing your research paper on), attend an activity organized by or about Muslims in New York City, or interview a Muslim about their views of Islam and politics. After each meeting, students will be expected to incorporate the information obtained in their weekly commentaries. To maximize student participation, the date and time of the meetings will be organized after the first class.
D. Research Paper: You will be required to write a research paper (20-25 pages) for this course that incorporates both primary and secondary sources. This paper is intended to give you an opportunity to focus your research on a particular topic of interest on Islam and politics in a particular country (e.g., democratization and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, or the status of Muslim women under President Bhutto of Pakistan). I would encourage students to choose a topic dealing with Muslims in New York City or one that would permit you to include interviews with Muslims on politics in their countries of origin (e.g., a Pakistani immigrant's view of the conflict in Kashmir). You must submit a one-page proposal identifying the country you will be studying and your topic of interest along with an initial bibliography by 17 September. Students will then meet individually with the instructor to discuss the feasibility of completing a research paper on this topic (e.g., availability of resources and breadth of topic).
* Annotated Bibliography (10%): In preparation for writing the research paper, you will be expected to develop an annotated bibliography. This bibliography should consist of a brief statement of your research question followed by an alphabetical list of the sources you have consulted. After each entry, you are to include a short paragraph that evaluates the publication by describing its purpose to your research and summarizing its contents and/or thesis. The annotated bibliography must include bibliographic and encyclopedic sources, books, academic journals, and primary sources. For further information, see the memorandum on researching and writing a research paper. The annotated bibliographies are due in class on 12 October.
* Research Design (10%): After meeting individually with the instructor to discuss your annotated bibliography, you are to submit a research design for your paper. Your research design should clearly state your hypothesis, summarize the existing literature on the topic, and describe your approach to the research question. Included with your research design should be an outline with the major subheadings of your paper and a working bibliography of primary and secondary resources to be used in your research paper. The research design is due in class on 4 November.
* Presentation of Research (5%): Each student will turn in their paper prior to Thanksgiving break. During the last two weeks of the semester, you will be given the opportunity to present your paper in class. Presentations should be no longer than 10 minutes leaving 10 minutes for comments by the class. You will then meet with me individually to discuss how editing may enhance your paper.
* Research Paper of Colloquium Paper (50%): The final version of your research paper must be submitted by 13 December. The grade on late papers will be automatically lowered half a grade for each day past the due date, with the exception of a health or family emergency.
BOOKS RECOMMENDED FOR PURCHASE: Available at Labyrinth Bookstore
* J. Esposito and J. Voll (1996) Islam and Democracy
* D. Gerner (1994) One Land, Two Peoples: Conflict over Palestine
* Y. Haddad and J. Esposito, eds. (1998) Islam, Gender and Social Change
* Y. Haddad and J. Esposito, eds. (1998) Muslims on the Americanization Path?
* T. Lippman (1995) Understanding Islam
* D. Ramage (1997) Politics in Indonesia: Democracy, Islam and the Ideology of Tolerance
Photocopies of other readings available at Quick Copy on Amsterdam and 120th
COURSE OUTLINE:
I. INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM AND POLITICS
7 September: Islamic Theological Doctrine
* T. Lippman 1995. Understanding Islam. pp. 1-105.
14 September: The Historical Expansion of Islam
COMMENTARY: Given the nature of "Practical Islam", should this colloquium
be called Islams and politics?
* D. Laitin. 1978. "Religion, Political Culture, and the Weberian
Tradition," World Politics. pp. 563-592.
* T. Lippman 1995. Understanding Islam. pp. 106-166.
* * * Map Quiz In Class * * *
21 September: Western Perceptions and Representations of Islam: From Orientalism to the Islamic Threat
COMMENTARY: What are the strengths of the arguments by Lewis and Said?
* J. Esposito. 1995. The Islamic Threat. pp. 25-76, 188-254.
* B. Lewis. 1993. "The Question of Orientalism," Islam and the West. pp. 99-118.
* E. Said. 1979. "Introduction," Orientalism. pp. 1-30.
* * * FIELDWORK: Meeting with Leaders of the 96th Street Mosque * * *
* * * Library Presentation on Research Sources* * *
II. MUSLIMS AND THE STATE
28 September: Islamic States
COMMENTARY: What is an Islamic state?
* M.A. Faksh. 1989. "The Islamic State System: A Paradigm of Diversity," Islamic Quarterly, no. 1. pp. 5-24.
* J. Esposito and J. Voll. 1996. "Iran: Revolutionary Islam in Power," Islam and Democracy. pp. 52-77.
* Ayatollah Khomeni. 1995. AIslamic Government,@ in O. Dahbour and M. Ishay (eds.) The Nationalism Reader. pp. 260-267.
* J. Kostiner. 1997. "State, Islam and Opposition in Saudi Arabia: The Post-Desert Storm Phase," in Religious Radicalism, pp. 75-89.
* E. Hooglund. 1999. "Khatami's Iran," Current History
* S. Zubaida. 1997. AIs Iran an Islamic State?@ in J. Beinin and J. Stork. Political Islam. pp. 103-119.
5 October: Muslim Societies and Secular States
COMMENTARY: What is the political role of Islam in a Muslim society with a secular state?
* S. Ayata. 1996. "Patronage, Party and State: The Politicization of Islam in Turkey," Middle East Journal. pp. 40-55.
* L. Behrman. 1970. Muslim Brotherhoods and Politics in Senegal. pp. 61-129.
* A. Kazancigil and E. Ozbudun. 1981. Ataturk: Founder of a Modern State: pp. 1-36. 191-220.
* J. Salt. 1999. "Turkey's Military 'Democracy'" Current History.
* C. Tripp. 1996. "Islam and the Secular Logic of the State in the Middle East," in A. Sidahmed and A. Ehteshami (eds.) Islamic Fundamentalism. pp. 51-70.
* L. Villalon and O. Kane. 1998. ASenegal: The Crisis of Democracy and the Emergence of an Islamic Opposition,@ in The African State at a Critical Juncture. pp. 143-166.
* * * FIELDWORK: Meeting with Mouride Religious Leaders * * *
12 October: Muslims Struggling for a State
COMMENTARY: How has the role of Islam changed in the Palestinian struggle for a state?
* D. Gerner. 1994. One land, two peoples: The Conflict over Palestine. Introduction and Chapter One. pp. 1-102.
* R. Hammami. 1997. "From Immodesty to Collaboration: Hamas, the Women's Movement, and National Identity in the Intifada," in J. Beinin and J. Stork (eds.) Political Islam. pp. 194-210.
* M. Klein. 1998. "Competing Brothers: The Web of Hamas-PLO Relations," in Religious Radicals
in the Greater Middle East. Pp. 111-132.
* A. Perlmutter. 1995. "The Israel-PLO Accord is Dead," Foreign Affairs. 74(3) pp. 59-68.
* E. Said. 1996. AIntroduction,@ Peace and Its Discontents. pp. xxiii-xxxv, 147-164.
* ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE IN CLASS *
19 October: Political Islam and Democratization
COMMENTARY: Are democratization and the resurgence of Islam contradictory forces
in the Muslim world?
* B. Rutherford. 1993. "Can an Islamic Group Aid Democratization?" Democratic Community edited by J. Chapman and I. Shapiro. pp. 313-335.
* P. Salem. 1996. "The Rise and Fall of Secularism in the Arab World," Middle East Policy, 4(3) March. pp. 147-160.
* M. Tozy. 1993. AIslam and the State,@ in W. Zartman and W. Habeeb (eds.) Polity and Society in Contemporary North Africa. pp. 102-122
* In J. Esposito and J. Voll. 1996. Islam and Democracy:
* Introduction and ch. 1 on AIslam and Democracy@, pp. 3-32
* "Algeria: Democracy Suppressed," pp. 150-172.
* "Egypt: Governmental, Populist, and Extremist Islam," pp. 173-191
* Conclusion, pp. 192-203
III. MUSLIMS AND CULTURAL PLURALISM
26 October - Pan-Islam and Ethno-Regional and National Identities
COMMENTARY: Discuss the Prospects for Pan-Islam in the 21st Century in light
of cultural pluralism in the Muslim World
* S. al-Husri. 1962. "Muslim Unity and Arab Unity," reprinted in Nationalism Reader. (1995) 255-259.
* D. Crawford. 1997. "The Social Foundation of Berber Identity Formation," Paper presented at Middle East Studies Association, November 22-24.
* M. Fandy. 1994. "Egypt's Islamic Group: Regional Revenge?" Middle East Journal. 48(4) Autumn. pp. 607-625.
* P. Landau. 1990. The Politics of Pan-Islam: Ideology and Organization. pp. 248-304. * Defense Intelligence Agency. 1998. Amazigh National Consciousness and Nationalism.
* M. Nisan. 1991."Berbers: Between Rebellion and Co-optation," Minorities in the Middle East. 45-62
* * FIELDWORK: Meeting with Representatives of the Organization of the Islamic Conference * *
4 November - Islam, Gender and the State
COMMENTARY: Is the status of women in your research country attributable to their Muslim identity?
* Y. Haddad and J. Esposito. 1998. Islam, Gender and Social Change. pp. 1-56, plus one case study.
* Journal Article on Your Research Country
RESEARCH DESIGNS DUE IN CLASS
9 November - Promotion of Religious Tolerance
COMMENTARY: What are the prospects of the political ideology of Pancasila promoting
religious tolerance in post-Suharto Indonesia?
* S. Anshari. 1985. "Islam or the Panca Sila as the Basis of the State," in A. Ibrahim et al. Readings on Islam in Southeast Asia. pp. 221-228.
* R. Bellah and P. Hammond. 1980. Varieties of Civil Religion. pp. vii-26.
* R.W. Liddle. 1999. "Indonesia's Democratic Opening," Government and Opposition. 34(1) 94-116.
* D. Ramage. 1995. The Politics of Indonesia: Democracy, Islam and the Ideology of Tolerance
16 November: Secession as a Solution to Religious Pluralism
COMMENTARY: Does secession resolve problems created by religious pluralism in a country?
* J. Esposito and J. Voll. 1996. APakistan," Islam and Democracy. pp. 102-123.
* A. Evans. 1999. "Kashmir: The Past Ten Years," Asian Affairs 30(1) 21-34.
* C. Fleuhr-Lobban. 1990. AIslamization in Sudan,@ Middle East Journal, pp. 610-623.
* A. Lesch. 1999. "Sudan: The Torn Country," Current History.
* A. Lijphart. 1977. Democracy in Plural Societies.
* H. al-Turabi. 1983. "The Islamic State," in Voices of Resurgent Islam, J. Esposito (ed). pp. 241-151.
* In Political System in Pakistan edited by V. Grover and R. Arora (1995):
* K.S. Abdur Rahman Khan. AConcept of a Separate Muslim State,@ pp. 39-46.
* M.R.T. (Pseudonym). AProtection versus Separation: Alternatives Before Muslims in Independent India,@ pp. 92-100.
* * * FIELDWORK: Meeting with South Asian Muslim Association * * *
23 November: Muslim Minorities in America
COMMENTARY: How does the transnational nature of the Muslim minority in America influence its political incorporation?
* Council on American-Islamic Relations. 1998. "The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States."
* K. Moore. Summer 1994. "Muslim Commitment in North America: Assimilation or Transformation?" American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences. pp. 223-44.
* M. Ferris. 1994. "Immigrant Muslims in New York City, 1893-1991," in Muslim Communities in North America edited by Y Haddad and J. Smith. Pp. 209-230.
* In Muslims on the Americanization Path? (1998)
J. Esposito. "Muslims in America or American Muslims," pp. 3-20.
Y. Haddad. "The Dynamics of Islamic Identity in North America," pp. 21-56.
M. Khan. "Mulsims and Identity Politics in America," pp. 107-128.
K. Moore. "The Hijab and Religious Liberty: Anti-Discrimination Law and Muslim Women in the United States," pp. 129-158.
PRELIMINARY PAPER DUE IN CLASS
THANKSGIVING BREAK
30 November and 7 December: CLASS PRESENTATIONS
*** 13 DECEMBER: FINAL PAPER DUE ***
